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In a surprising twist of fate, Brazilian activist Caetano Scannavino found an unexpected ally in Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio after being falsely accused of setting fires in the Amazon rainforest.
In November 2019, then-President Jair Bolsonaro falsely claimed that DiCaprio had funded nonprofit groups allegedly responsible for Amazon fires. This accusation placed Scannavino, coordinator of the Saúde e Alegria (Health and Happiness) nonprofit, at significant risk. Four volunteer firefighters working with his organization were jailed for two days and prosecuted before eventually being cleared of all charges.
The fallout was immediate and severe. Police scrutinized Scannavino’s organization’s documents for weeks. He received anonymous threats, and his car was set ablaze. The harassment extended to public spaces, where he and his colleagues faced verbal abuse.
“Those first few days after Bolsonaro’s accusation were terrible. People insulted us and our families on the streets, the firefighters had to leave,” Scannavino recalled in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “But then a surprising thing happened.”
Rather than distancing themselves, supporters rallied around the organization. More significantly, DiCaprio himself took notice of Scannavino’s work and decided to support it through Re:wild, a conservation nonprofit that the actor helped establish.
“When the accusations emerged, DiCaprio came out to say he was not funding us, but added we deserved his support after he saw our work,” Scannavino explained. “I’ve never been with him or spoken to him. But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does.”
The partnership has now lasted five years, becoming a silver lining to what began as a dangerous situation for the activist and his team.
Scannavino has led Saúde e Alegria since 1988, focusing on sustainable community development in Para state, where the capital Belem will host the upcoming United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP30). What started as a healthcare initiative has evolved into a multifaceted project supporting rural communities in improving their quality of life and civic engagement.
One key project backed by DiCaprio’s institute is the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarem. Opened a year ago, this facility serves as a hub for processing, storing, and commercializing products made by local communities, enhancing the economic viability of sustainable practices in the Amazon region.
The facility received substantial funding from the Amazon Fund, a Brazilian initiative supported by the governments of Brazil, Germany, and Norway that finances anti-deforestation and sustainable development efforts. Scannavino noted that the initiative cost approximately 5 million Brazilian reais ($938,000), with the Amazon Fund providing most of the financing.
Despite the harrowing experience of being falsely accused, Scannavino took a diplomatic approach rather than seeking political confrontation. “Our critics are specialists in hatred, and since that incident we chose to be polite, provide evidence we worked with all stakeholders, everyone who mattered in the region. We refused to leave our local communities without due health care assistance just because of an absurd accusation,” he said.
As COP30 approaches, Scannavino is expected to meet with Re:wild officials and possibly DiCaprio himself. In a recent Instagram post, the actor urged world leaders gathering in Brazil to ensure that those defending nature have the resources they need, announcing that Re:wild is pledging more funding to protect forests.
“I urge leaders to unite and meet the moment,” DiCaprio wrote. “Our future depends on it.”
Scannavino, who left São Paulo for the Amazon more than 37 years ago, almost met DiCaprio once before, about two decades ago during preparations for a photo exhibition in New York. The actor, incognito under a cap, was inadvertently turned away by staff who didn’t recognize him.
“Shortly later our producer raced to tell me that was Leonardo DiCaprio,” Scannavino recalled. Though they missed their chance then, he remains hopeful for a proper introduction at the upcoming climate conference: “I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly.”
Meanwhile, former President Bolsonaro, who initiated the false accusations, was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt following his 2023 election loss.
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16 Comments
While the initial accusations against this organization were clearly false, it’s good to see that they were able to find support and continue their important work. Protecting the Amazon should be a global priority.
Absolutely. Activists like this deserve our respect and backing, not political attacks that put their safety and operations at risk.
It’s disheartening to see how quickly misinformation can spread and endanger the work of important environmental organizations. I’m glad to see this group received support after being unjustly targeted.
Absolutely. We need to be vigilant in calling out false claims and defending those on the front lines of conservation efforts.
It’s concerning to see how political rhetoric can unfairly target and threaten environmental activists, even when their work is clearly vital. I’m glad DiCaprio stepped up to support this organization after the false accusations.
Absolutely, it’s crucial that we protect and empower those fighting to preserve our natural resources, even in the face of political attacks.
It’s concerning to see how quickly misinformation and political rhetoric can be used to target and endanger environmental activists. I’m glad to see that this group found support from DiCaprio after the false accusations.
Absolutely. We need to be vigilant in defending those on the front lines of conservation efforts, especially when they face unjust persecution.
The Amazon is such a precious global resource, and it’s disheartening to see activists trying to protect it being unjustly vilified. I’m glad DiCaprio stepped in to provide support after this troubling incident.
Yes, it’s critical that we stand up for those on the front lines of environmental conservation, especially when they face unfair persecution.
This is a classic example of how misinformation and unfounded accusations can have real, damaging consequences. I hope the nonprofit is able to continue its important work without further harassment.
Agreed. Responsible leaders should be working to uplift environmental stewards, not target them with baseless claims.
This is a concerning example of how political rhetoric can be weaponized against environmental defenders, even when their actions are completely justified. I’m glad to see DiCaprio step up to support this group.
Yes, it’s crucial that we stand up for those working to protect our planet, even when they face unfair backlash from those in power.
This is a prime example of how political agendas can be used to undermine critical environmental work. I’m glad to see that DiCaprio stepped in to provide support for this group after the unfounded accusations.
Yes, it’s vital that we protect those fighting to preserve our natural resources, even in the face of unfair political attacks.